Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-09-29

Maj. Jas. Law. Hooff died at his residence
in this county on Saturday last-aged 81
years His death is a public loss, indeed.
For many years he was very active-occu-
plying positions of public trust and always
performing the duties of them with earnest
ness and fidelity, and never Sinking res
possibility. He was public spirited and
ever energetic in business, public or pri-
vate. Emphatic in speech, sometimes lit
tie brusque in manner, but withal genial,
and ardent in his friendships. Before the
war he was an officer in the volunteer SOL
diery. At the beginning of the war he was
Major in the End Virginia Regiment and
served rs such until it was mustered into
the Confederate service when there was a
reorganization as to regimental officers. He
then enlisted in Co. G (Botts Greys) and
served in the ranks for twelve months; af-
forwards Captain of Cavalry and subse-
quently Maj. and Quartermaster Of the 18th
Reg. Rosser's Brigade of Cavalry. He had
a clean. honorable record as soldier He
served term in the Legislature with cred
it to himself and honor to his constituency;
was at one time an influential member of
the Council of Charlestown and at the time
of his death President of the County Court.
Almost his last business transaction, during
a seeming arrest of the serious illness that
finally took him away, was in the interest
of the public-he presided for day or two
at term of the Court, thus, in his last
hours, almost, attesting his fidelity to pub
lie duty. There was nothing negative in
the character of Maj Hoof, and in his re-
lations with men he was more positive than
passive. Hospitable in his home-kind, af-
fectionate, proyident, generous.
By the death of Maj. Hoof we are bereft
of a good friend. Sometimes he stood by
us when others were timid. Requiescdt in
pace.
The services at the house and grave were
conducted by Rev. Dallas Tucker, and the
sermon was preached by Rev. DR.. A. c.
Hopkins. The interment at Edge Hill
Cemetery on Tuesday. The pall-bearers
were R. B. Washington, J. Is. McElroy, B.
C. Washington, VIM. Beall, Sam'l Howell,
J. w. Rider, David Howell, Richard Hen
derson.
Mrs Sarah A. Leisenring died at her home
in this town on Saturday night last, in the
Goth year of her age Her death has crea-
ted an aching void in the hearts of many
friends and relatives Not only here will
the loss be felt, but hundreds of miles away
by many sojourners from afar, who found
in her the pleasant, sympathizing, motherly
hostess and friend. Not only in her own
family will she be sadly missed, but in the
Church of which she was devoted mem
Der for many years, where she stood always
ready to aid in every good work-full of
zeal for the prosperity of Zion. Her illness
was painful in the extreme, yet she suffered
patiently and murmured not, meekly acqui-
escing in the will of her Heavenly Father
and saying, in speaking of her approach
ing death, at is best for me-" Her last
hours were not beclouded by fearful appre-
tensions of future conditions. She "fell
on sleep" and rests "Safe in the arms of
Jesus"
Her burial took place on Monday after
noon-services in the NJ. f. Church, South,
conducted by Rev. W. G. Eggleston, assist
ed by Rev. J. w. Tongue and Rev. DR.. Hop
kins. The very large concourse in atten-
dance at the Church and at the Cemetery at
tested, in some measure, the esteem in which
she was held in this community by young
and old, whites and blacks. Thepall bear
ers were Maj. G.. w. T. Kearsley, w. c.
Carroll, X. A. Hessey, j. Ed. Burns, S.
Howell Brown, Cleon Moore, Joseph Trap
nell and T. w. Latimer.